Mexico weekly ledger., 1887-07-21
The Council Lets the Water
works Matter Stand.
THE QUESTION THOROUGHLY DIS
OUssED BY ALL THE MEMBERS,
BUT NOTHING DONE.
Electric Light Contract Signed
by the Mayor-A Number of
New Sidewalks Ordered.
Back Taxes to be Collected by
Suit - The Nuisance
Question.

Question.
With but four members present
Friday night The Council got down to
business at cnce. The absent Coun-
cilmen came in later. After the dis
posal OF some routine business, the
most important question, whether or
not the hydrant water be used in
case Of FIRE, was tackled.
Judge Forrist, who was in the
house, as soon as the matter was an
nounced, said he had few words to
say: I'm my Judgement" said he,
''every ordinance made by this Coun-
Gil with reference to the Fire De-
partment or Water.works lis in full
force, and the resolution adopted at
the last meeting don't repeal the Wa
ter-works ordinance. In other words,
a resolution of this character don't
affect an ordinance.19
johnson: 81 don't understand
that there was ever a legal erdinance
in effect, authorizing the construc-
ton of the Water-works., -
Steele: "We don't intend to re-
peal it, we merely express as our
opinion that the so-called contract is
void. / think we ought to go on and
use the water for fire as heretofore,
and / cannot see how that would af-
feet the matter one particle"
Bryan: 'sIf it Is the intention of
the Council to carry out the plans
adopted at the last meeting, it will
not do to touch the water for any
purpose, but if the water is used,
think it should be paid for according
to what it is WORTH
Clark: 81 would like to hear from
all the members. I think if we take
the water we will have it to pay for,
at any rate, as long as it is as pure
and good as at present. l am posi-
tive that we will have to pay every
dollar of the contract price under
these conditions. In case of where
life or property is at stake, would
use anybody's water.
Turner: ..If we use the water,
we'll have it to pay for, that's all,
and / don't think we ought to use it. u
Bunton: sIn case of fire, the De.
partment should use the water"
Forrist: "The Council don't look
at the matter in a practical manner.
It don't affect the question particle
if not drop of water is used, the
| hydrant rental must be paid. 1t il
the bondholder, an innocent third
party, to whom the city is liable fol
the So, 900 annually, and not the Mex
leo Water-works Company"
Hisey: ''If the company would
drop the matter where it now stands
the city would have to pay the inter-
est?"
Forrist: ''Yes, if not drop o.
water is used"
j. F. Llewellyn: II remember dis.
tinctly that this matter was looked
into by prominent gentleman o.
this city about the time the Water
works question was submitted to th'
people, and it was found to be a
Judge Forrist says, and for that rea
son / voted against the proposition
If the Water-works freeze up to
night, tho city will be compelled t.
pay the interest,"
Hisey: "This matter should b.
fully investigated, and that, too
at once
Clark: Il can't see anything il
that ordinance to make the state
ments of Forrest and Llewellyn facts
If the goods are not delivered &C
cordiug to contract sc should no
pay for them"
Forrist: s.That would hold goot
if the action was between the cit.
aud the Water-worlls, but it is not
The bondholtlers are the ones wht
claim this rental, and there are
Thousand decisions of the Suprem
Court sustaining this theory"
| Fire Chief White: + want an or
der from the Council as to wha
action / am to take in case of fire.
| CLARK: ssrhe water should be use'
in case of fire, where life or propert.
is at stake
| AS result of the discussion, nj
action whatever was taken and tn
matter rests where 1t did after th'
last meeting. In case OF sre the wa
| ter will be used.